Emerging Scholars FAQ's

Who Does ES Serve?

ES seeks 4th grade students who demonstrate motivation, academic promise, high character and leadership potential. Typical ES students are from under-served communities who will need significant financial assistance to attend independent schools.

ES serves the interest of independent schools by aiding them to fulfill their commitment to enhance and maintain the overall diversity of their student bodies.

Why Independent Schools?

ES primarily admits students to the private sector in education because there it finds the combination of high academic standards, individual attention and personal accountability that is essential to ensure the success of an ES student. Further, independent schools have a long-stated commitment to increasing the economic, ethnic, racial and religious diversity of their student bodies.

How Does ES Work?

ES candidates are only eligible to apply in the fourth grade. Once admitted, these rising 5th graders will commence the Scholars Academy with a seven-week summer session. The following autumn, scholars will attend Saturday classes throughout their fifth grade year and then attend a second seven-week summer session as rising sixth graders. After the successful completion of the second summer session, Scholars Academy graduates are eligible to enroll in an independent school. ES guides families through the selection, application and financial aid processes to facilitate admission to the most appropriate independent school for each student. It is our expectation that any child who remains in good standing in ES will be admitted to one of the participating independent schools.

ES offers a rigorous curriculum, small classes, and personalized attention – all at no cost to participating families. Scholars and their families form a unique community that strengthens the resolve of each student to master the unfamiliar aspects of the independent school environment, and later the transition to college and the job market. Each graduate's continued participation in Scholars Advancement promotes a long term sense of social responsibility, fosters their potential for effective leadership and provides an invaluable support system of ES staff, families and peers.

Is Financial Aid Available?

The Emerging Scholars Independent School Partnership Agreement states that if an scholar is accepted to a partner school, the school will pay up to 100% of costs on the basis of need. The amount of financial aid a school will offer is determined by a financial assistance eligibility estimate provided by a third party, School and Student Services (SSS by NAIS.org). ES staff will help guide families through the financial aid application process.

If your ES question is not answered above or on our Programs page, please contact ES via e-mail or call (703) 567-6600 for more information today!